There’s plenty to be excited for ahead of the PLAYERS Championship. The top 50 golfers in the world are all set to compete at this prestigious event. That’s several too many players to keep track of. Read on as we give you five of the top golfers to keep an eye on ahead of this tournament.
The top golfers in the world aren’t the only one playing for a big prize. The best basketball players are also out to capture their respective championships. Check out our complete previews for the Wizards vs. Hawks and Bulls vs. Cavaliers.
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The PLAYERS Championship 2015 Preview
Favorites – Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy is currently embroiled in a heated race to the WGC Cadillac Championship. With the way he’s playing, it seems like the Irish hotshot is in fine form. McIlroy has 15 birdies through the quarterfinal round with only one bogey thus far.
If he can keep sharp, then he should be a front runner at this upcoming tournament. McIlroy finished sixth with a nine-under 279 at last year’s The PLAYERS Championship.
[sc:Golf240banner ]This year’s The Masters champion Jordan Spieth was sent to an early exit at WGC Cadillac. But that shouldn’t hold the talented American down. Spieth has finished in the top two in four of his last six tournaments (including two wins). Spieth knows the course at TPC Sawgrass very well, especially after a fourth-place finish at last year’s The PLAYERS Championship. Spieth ranks first in the PGA Tour in scoring average (69.25).
Sleepers – Adam Scott and Tiger Woods
Former world no. 1 Adam Scott should be very motivated to make up for his early exit at WGC Cadillac. He struggled to adjust to the slow greens, making just three birdies in two days. TPC Sawgrass has slow greens which have challenged Scott. He has not finished in the top 10 at the PLAYERS Championship since placing sixth in 2007.
Tiger Woods played quite well in his last appearance at The Masters despite a long layoff to fix his game. He tied for fifth heading into the final round but fell all the way down to 17th. After recovering from an injured hand at Augusta, Woods announced his intention to play at this upcoming tournament. He won his last appearance at TPC Sawgrass, finishing with a 13-under 275 in 2013.
But that version of Woods was still in fine form. He had three wins in six tournaments heading into the 2013 PLAYERS Championship. He ranked second in total strokes gained (2.025) and scoring average (68.944) and third in birdie average (4.07) in 2013. He is unranked in total strokes gained (-6.140), birdie average (3.17) and scoring average (72.667) thus far this season.
Long Shot – Martin Kaymer
Defending champion Martin Kaymer had to endure a rain delay before holding off runner-up Jim Furyk but a stroke in the 2014 PLAYERS Championship. Kaymer led by three before the delay before failing to find his stroke when action resumed. An aggressive play led to a bogey at No. 15, almost hit the water at No. 17 before making a par at No. 18 to escape with the win. It was Kaymer’s first career win. Should Kaymer rediscover the form in his last outing at TPC Sawgrass, then he’d be a hot pick to defend his title.
Writer’s Prediction
Rory McIlroy wins his first PLAYERS Championship. Create a betting account now and make a hole in one on the best golf tournaments in the world.
